Adjustable table



(No Mode.)

J.R.BAKBR.

ADJUSTABLE TABLE. No. 533,697. Patented Feb. 5, 1895.

@siren STATns Arnett einen.

JAMES R. BAKER, OF KENDALLVILLE, INDIANA.

ADJ U STABLE TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 533,697, dated February 5, 1895.

Application tiled February 19, 1894. Serial No. 500.751. (No model.)

' To all whom, t may concern.-

Beit known that l, JAMES R.. BAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kendallville, in the county of Noble and State of 4Indiana, have invented a new and useful Adjustable Table, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in adjustable tables.

The object of the present invention is to provide for sick rooms, hospitals 4and the like, an adjustable table, adapted to have its top readily arranged at the desired elevation, and capable ot being readily swung around to bring its top over a bed or cot Within easy reach of the occupant, and also capable of having its top readily tilted at either side for the purpose of supporting a book in convenient position for use, Whether the reader be in a sitting or reclining position.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means for supporting a book upon the top of a table when the latter is in an inclined position, and for freeing or clearing the table of such devices when it is desired to use the table for other purposes.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated 'in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable and portable table constructed in accordance with this invention, and arranged to form a book-support. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the top being in a horizontal position and being extended or moved outward longitudinally. Fig. 3 is a reverse plan view of the top of the table and its supporting arm. Fig. 4c is a detail perspective View of one of the book stops.

Like numerals of reference indicate correspondin g parts in all the ligures of the drawings.

1 designates a vertical tubular standard rising from one end of a T-shaped base 2, which consists of a horizontally disposed bar 3 and a cross-bar 4, both constructed of tubular metal, preferably; but, the base and the standard may, it' desired, be constructed of any other suitable material. The horizontal bar 3 extends longitudinally of the top 5 of the table. The standard is arranged at the inner end of the longitudinal bar 3 andthe cross bar at the outer end thereof; and the ends of the longitudinal bar are secured to the adjacent parts by T-shaped couplings 6 and 7. The outer transverse bar 4 may consist of two sections or pieces threaded into the T-shapetl coupling, and it is provided at its outer end with downwardly extending or turned elbow couplings 8; and casters 9 are arranged beneath the lower end of the standard and the ends of the cross-bar 4. The stems or Shanks of the casters are fitted in the adjacent couplings which form convenient sockets for the same; and the caster below the standard is adapted to form a convenient pivot on which the table may be readily turned to change the position of the top.

The top of the table isprovided with transverse cleats l0 and 1l, which are providedwith bearing openings receiving a horizontal nected with the standard by a Greek-cross shaped coupling 13, the vertical portion of Which receives and slides on the standard, and the horizontal arms of which forni a socket for the supporting arm l2 and for a set screw 14. The top supporting arm is preterably tubular; and the set-screw is mounted in a threaded opening of a plug l5, which is fitted in the outer horizontal portion of the socket 13, and which enables the screw to clamp securely the standard. The openings of the transverse cleats 10 and 1l loosely receive the tubular supporting arm. The table top is capable of horizontal movement on the supporting arm, which is provided at its outer end with a key 1G, forming a stop; and the top of the table is also capable of being tilted from either side of the supporting arm to form a book rest or support. The top of the table is secured at the desired adjustment by a clamp consisting of an eye-bolt 17, and a thumb nut 18. The eye bolt receives the supporting arm and has .its shank extending downward through an opening of a plate 19 that is supported by the adjacent cleat 10 and by a block 20, arranged parallel with the cleat. By screwing the nut on the threaded shank of the eye-bolt the latter is caused to clamp the supporting arm sufficiently to hold ICO the top of the table securely'atany desired adjustment. A washer is interposed between the thumb nut and the plate to strengthen the construction.

The space between the top of the table and the base permits the top of the table to be arranged over a bed or cot, the base extending beneath the latter with the standard close to one side thereof. When the 'table top is in an inclined position for forming a book support or rest a book is held thereon. by a folding stop or rest 22, arranged at each side of the table, and adapted when not in use to swing beneath the same in order to be out of the way. Eachl stop is substantially L shaped in side elevation and consists of a rectangular frame constructed of Wire or other suitable material and having its sides 23 hinged at their inner ends by staples 24 or other suitable means to the lower face of the top of the table. The outer portion of each rectangular frame is bent at right angles to form an upward projecting portion 25 when .the sides of the frame are in a horizontal position for use, which portion projects above the upper face of the top of the table to prevent a book sliding off the same. Corresponding sides of the stops'22 are provided at their inner ends with inwardly extending Lshaped portions 26 forming crank arms, which are engaged by the ends of a transverse spring 27', whereby the stops are held in their operative and folded positions. The transverse spring is provided intermediate of its ends, which are free, with an angular bend, which is secured to the lower face of the top of the table. The free ends of the spring engage the crank arms and tend to force them fiat against the top of the table.

It will be seen that the table is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, that it is portable and adjustable7 that its top may be readily arranged over a bed or cot at the desired elevation, either in a horizontal or tilted position, and that a book may be supported at either side. A

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

1. The combination with a table having a tilting top, of a stop or rest substantially L..- shaped in side elevation and extending transversely of the bottom of the table top and projecting upward at one edge thereof and adapted to be swung under the top of the table out of the way, the inner end of the rest orrstop being hinged to the lower face of the table top to permit such movement, and a spring bearing against the stop or rest and arranged to hold the same in lits operative and folded positions, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a table having a tilting top adapted to be arranged horizontally and at an inclination, of a stop or rest substantially L-shaped in side elevation and consisting of a rectangular frame arranged against the lower face of the table top and hinged at the inner ends of its sides to the lower face of the top, and having its outer portion bent upward at right angles and pro jecting above the upper face of the table for supporting abook or the like, one of the sides of the frame being` provided at the point of hinging with a crank bend 2G located in the same plane as the adjacent side of the frame, and a spring secured to the top of the table and engaging the crank bend, and adapted to hold the rest or support in its operative positionl and to secure the same when folded, away, beneath the table top, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a vertical standard, a base supporting the same, a horizontal arm extending from the standard, a table 'top mounted on the horizontal arm andadapted to be arranged in a horizontal or inclined position, the rests or stops located at opposite sides of the table top and being substantially L-shaped in side elevation to fit against the lower face of the table top, and to project upward at the side edges thereof, each stop or rest consisting of a rectangular frame hinged at the inner ends of itssides to the lower face of the table top, and having its outerportion bent upward at the edge of the table, one of the sides being provided with an L-shaped bend 26 forming a crank arm and located in the same plane as the said side, and a spring secured intermediate of its ends to the lower face of the table top, and common to both stops or rests and engaging the crank arms thereof, whereby each stop or rest is retained in either a folded or operative position, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiiixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES R. BAKER. vWitnesses:

J. E. BAKER, O. BAKER.

IOC 

